Cole Sands

ActiveIL

Minnesota Twins · Pitcher

Age 296' 3" · 215 lbsThrows Right

FBaseball Overview

Sands offers Minnesota modest value as a multi-inning reliever capable of accumulating strikeouts and occasional saves, though his role remains fluid within the Twins' bullpen hierarchy. With 64 strikeouts across 72 innings last season and an early 2026 profile showing similar peripherals, he provides upside in the K category for managers willing to roster a pitcher without a guaranteed saves floor. His ERA and WHIP have hovered around the 4.50 and 1.20 marks respectively, making him a back-of-the-rotation or bullpen streaming option rather than a foundational arm. The primary risk is inconsistent usage and win-loss opportunities, though his strikeout rate keeps him relevant in deeper leagues seeking pitching depth.

MLB Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2022	Minnesota Twins	11	3	0	3	1	5.87	1.57	28	30.2	13
2023	Minnesota Twins	15	0	0	0	0	3.74	1.52	21	21.2	13
2024	Minnesota Twins	62	0	9	1	4	3.28	1.00	85	71.1	12
2025	Minnesota Twins	69	3	4	6	3	4.50	1.17	64	72.0	19
2026	Minnesota Twins	13	0	1	1	1	8.25	1.67	11	12.0	5
Career	Totals	170	6	14	11	9	4.42	1.23	209	207.2	62

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Minor League Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2019	2 teams▼	9	9	5	2	0	2.25	0.83	53	52.0	7
2021	Wichita Wind Surge	19	18	4	2	0	2.46	1.17	96	80.1	35
2022	St. Paul Saints	19	13	3	6	0	5.55	1.65	72	61.2	24
2023	St. Paul Saints	19	0	0	2	4	1.47	0.88	41	30.2	10
2026	2 teams▼	7	0	2	0	0	0.00	0.75	9	8	3
Career	Totals	73	40	11	11	4	3.23	1.27	273	225.3	84

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Game Log2026 MLB

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Advanced Stats2026 season · via Baseball Savant

Click for year to year changes

FB Velo92.9 mph

Avg Spin2239 rpm

Whiff %23.3%

K %19.6%

BB %8.9%

Hard Hit %56.4%

Barrel %10.3%

xERA5.78

xBA Against0.268

xSLG Against0.507

BA Against0.313

SLG Against0.583

What These Stats Mean

FB Velo — Average fastball velocity. Harder throwers generate more swings and misses, setting up every other pitch in their arsenal. Velocity is the foundation of strikeout upside.

Avg Spin — Average spin rate across all pitches. Higher spin creates more movement and makes pitches harder to square up — elite spinners run better strikeout and batting average against numbers.

Whiff % — Swings-and-misses per swing. The most direct measure of a pitcher's ability to miss bats and the best leading indicator of strikeout rate.

K % — Strikeout rate per batter faced. The core fantasy pitching stat — high K% means reliable strikeout totals that hold up even in shorter starts.

BB % — Walk rate per batter faced. The primary control metric. High BB% tanks ERA and WHIP and keeps baserunners on constantly. Elite starters typically run below 7%.

Hard Hit % — Percentage of batted balls hit 95 mph or harder against. Low hard-hit% means weak contact, protecting both ERA and the defense behind the pitcher.

Barrel % — Percentage of batted balls barreled against. The most direct home run predictor — low barrel% pitchers rarely give up long balls.

xERA — Expected ERA based on contact quality allowed, removing the effect of sequencing, luck, and defense. Better predictor of future ERA than ERA itself.

xBA Against — Expected batting average opponents should hit based on contact quality. A gap between xBA and actual BA indicates unsustainable luck in either direction.

xSLG Against — Expected slugging allowed based on contact quality. High xSLG against predicts future extra-base damage; low xSLG means the pitcher is genuinely suppressing power.

BA Against — Actual batting average opponents are hitting — a key WHIP component. Check xBA to see if the number is sustainable.

SLG Against — Actual slugging allowed. Captures hits, doubles, triples, and home runs — lower means the pitcher is limiting the power damage he gives up.

GB% — Ground ball rate. High GB% pitchers generate double plays, limit home runs, and keep the ball in the park — great for protecting ERA and WHIP ratios.

FB% — Fly ball rate. High FB% pitchers give up more air contact — dangerous when combined with high exit velocity, less so when contact is soft.

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Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2022

Minnesota Twins

5.87

1.57

30.2

2023

Minnesota Twins

3.74

1.52

21.2

2024

Minnesota Twins

3.28

1.00

71.1

2025

Minnesota Twins

4.50

1.17

72.0

2026

Minnesota Twins

8.25

1.67

12.0

Career

Totals

170

4.42

1.23

209

207.2

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2019

2 teams▼

2.25

0.83

52.0

2021

Wichita Wind Surge

2.46

1.17

80.1

2022

St. Paul Saints

5.55

1.65

61.2

2023

St. Paul Saints

1.47

0.88

30.2

2026

2 teams▼

0.00

0.75

Career

Totals

3.23

1.27

273

225.3